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January 2015John, Henry Kapono and Brother Noland join together as The Rough Riders - January 30th at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center

The Rough Riders (Henry Kapono, John Cruz, and Brother Noland) made their formal debut at the MACC January 30th. The show was nothing short of amazing! Check out the photos in John's Scrapbook and stay tuned for more Hawaii and USA dates to be announced.

December 2013Australia-New Zealand tour with Jack Johnson and Paula Fuga

September 2012One of These Days is One of the Best

It was a dream come true for John to record "One of These Days," which earned him his third Hoku Award for Contemporary Album of the Year. He got to work with industry legends and superstars like Paulinho da Costa, James Gadson, Reggie McBride and Bruno Mars. He immersed himself in the extraordinary environment at Jackson Browne's studio in Southern California, and got to work creating something he hoped would make a lasting impact. Well, it looks like it did. Honolulu Magazine just named the project one of "The 25 Greatest Hawai'i Albums of the New Century." John's came in at #6. He's on the list with Hawaii's finest, like Keali'i Reichel, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Na Palapalai, Nathan Aweau and more. Check out the full article here: http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/September-2012/25-Greatest-Hawaii-Albums-of-the-New-Century/

June 2012Heading to Nashville

After taking a short break from recording here in Hawaii, John is ready to get back in the studio and continue work on his new album. This time, he'll be heading to Nashville to work with renown drummer and recording engineer Nir Z. Nir is best known as the former drummer for Genesis (after Phil Collins), and has also worked with top artists like John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Joss Stone and Alana Davis. He was one of New York's most sought after drummers, before packing his bags and moving to Nashville recently. Nir played some inspired tracks on John's last album "One of These Days" and the two are very much looking forward to rekindling the magic on this new project.

April 2012Best of Kokua Festival

Be sure to pick up a copy of Jack Johnson's newest release, "Best of Kokua Festival," due out April 17th. John performs on 2 tracks, "Island Style" and Jackson Browne's "Take It Easy," with both Jack and Jackson. The CD also features other friends who have played the festivals over the years, including Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, Ziggy Marley, Taj Mahal and more. All proceeds benefit the Kokua Hawaii Foundation and the wonderful work they do to support environmental education around the world. Check out live performance clips at http://www.kokuafestival.com/best.

March 2012On the Road with Jack and Paula

To celebrate the release of Jack Johnson and Friends - Best of Kokua Festival, Jack invited John along with Paula Fuga to tour the Hawaiian Islands in April. John has two tracks featured on the project, which also includes artists like Willie Nelson, Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, Ben Harper, Jackson Browne, Ziggy Marley and more.

November 2011Aloha Mr. President

After performing at Barack Obama's historic inauguration in Washington DC in 2009, John finally got the chance to meet the President at a fundraising event at home in Hawaii. The White House invited him to play the event, which was attended by Governor Neil Abercrombie, Lt. Governor Brian Schatz, Hawaii senators and other dignitaries and supporters. Check out the complete story in this Honolulu Star-Advertiser article: http://www.honolulupulse.com/music/island-style-musician-earns-obama-shaka

September 2011Hawaii Five-O Soundtrack

John has always wanted to be on an album with Bob Dylan and he finally got his chance. John's song "Hi'ilawe," from the album One of These Days, was chosen as a featured tune on the first ever soundtrack album from the smash hit TV show Hawaii Five-O, in stores on October 4th and on the show itself January 16th. Also on the album are Train, the Goo Goo Dolls, Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley and Jake Shimabukuro, among others. John is the only Hawaiian artist on the project. Book em all, Danno. http://www.hawaii50music.com

May 2011In the studioAfter an inspiring Winter writing songs in the studio in Massachusetts, John is currently in the studio in Hawaii recording them. He'll capture his signature warm acoustic sound on analog tape, like he did with his two previous albums. It will be music you can not only hear, but that you can feel as well...and it feels so good. Look for a release date early next year.

November 2010New album on the wayThey say three is the charm and there is no doubt John's upcoming album will be his most special release yet. He's been in the studio working with dear friend and songwriting partner Mark Herschler, who also wrote "Mama's Lil Baby" and "Hurricane" on John's previous albums. Those guys know how to make musical magic. Their new songs are amazing. No word on when it will be out, but it should be sometime later next year.

January 2010Bluesfest in AustraliaJohn heads to Australia over Easter weekend to join the lineup of the 21st Annual Bluesfest in Byron Bay, Australia. He plays 2 shows at the country's largest and coolest music festival, along with Jack Johnson, Buddy Guy and other greats. It's just part of a busy year of touring that will include Japan, Canada and places all over the mainland US where John has wanted to go for a long time.

July 2009Summer Concerts from Coast to CoastFrom the mountains to the ocean and places in between, John will be making the rounds this summer at festivals, seaside retreats, on tall sailing ships and other wonderful outdoor venues. He'll join Hawaii's own HAPA and Ledward Kaapana for some shows and play solo for others. Make plans now for summer fun Island Style.

March 2009On the road to South by SouthwestThey say everything's bigger in Texas and SXSW defines the concept that
size really does matter. The world's largest and most prestigious
music festival invades Austin each year, with 1800 bands and 15,000
industry people exchanging cards, doing lunch, staying up way too late
and not calling each other in the morning. John was officially invited
to join the fun, chosen out of over 10,000 bands vying for a coveted
slot at the make-it-or-break-it event known as South By. He's honoring
his roots by bringing an all-Hawaiian band to back him, so come join
the big party in one of the country's best little music towns.

January 2009Back with Jack and BarackAloha invaded Washington during Barack Obama's inauguration and
hopefully, it will stick around for awhile. Jack Johnson invited John
to share the stage at the Home States Ball, singing Island Style and a
few other songs, to a crowd of 6000 happy supporters of our Hawaii-born
president.

January 2009Mr. Cruz Goes to WashingtonJohn is honored and excited to accept the invitation to perform at the Inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington, DC. Following the inaugural festivities, John heads to the Northeast for a round of shows in New England and the Tri-State area. Come wish John your warmest aloha and congratulations for being a part of this historical occasion!

September 2008The Mountain Stage welcomes John CruzIt's an honor, but not a surprise, that John has just been chosen as a finalist in the prestigious and influential Mountain Stage New Song Contest for the West Region. The annual event is known for launching artists like Alison Krauss, Sheryl Crow, Ryan Adams, Norah Jones and many others. John survived some staggering competition to emerge with a coveted slot in the lineup. The nationally recognized event is "where great artists are discovered" -- and really, all the contestants are already winners.

August 2008Best singer-songwriter in HawaiiRespected veteran music writer Derek Paiva and the staff at Hawaii Magazine have named John the "Best Singer-Songwriter from Hawaii." As if the honor weren't enough, the article continues on to lavishly praise John's soulful style. "Cruz is one of the finest contemporary singer-songwriter-musicians you'll hear, Hawaii-based or otherwise. Listen to Cruz's Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning 2007 CD One of These Days for proof. Cruz's honeyed, husky voice is a marvel -- real world honest whether touching on subjects painfully personal or sweetly hopeful. Vintage instruments and recording equipment coat it all in a warm, timeless musical glow. We're serious fans." Click on the link for the full story.

August 2008On the road againFrom the Big Apple to the City by the Bay, John will hit them all as part of his East and West Coast 2008 Summer Tour. With 4 shows in the San Francisco area alone and a landmark anniversary bash for WMVY radio on Martha's Vineyard, his concert schedule promises to raise the mercury on those hot August nights.

June 2008And the winner is, John Cruz When it comes to Hoku, he's two for two. Both Acoustic Soul and now One of These Days are the proud winners of contemporary Hawaiian music's top honor, Contemporary Album of the Year. Capping off a triumphant comeback after his much-anticipated album release, the crowd erupted in cheers when John's name was announced at the 31st Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in Honolulu. View Scrap Book Entry

September 2007"One of These Days" debuts at #1After more than a decade in the making, John's new album didn't waste any time making an impact. After its first week in stores, it landed firmly at #1 in Hawaii, #2 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and #6 on the Billboard World Chart. Two songs off the album, "Hurricane" and "Missing You" shot straight to #1 on radio stations throughout the state. The beautiful artwork and first class production only enhance the lyrical depth and musical feel on this soon-to-be classic recording.